"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," the US President said on Iraq and Syria strikes.
This marks the beginning of what appears to be a series of more substantial strikes against Iranian-backed militias, who have been implicated in attacks on US troops in the region. Two US officials confirmed the commencement of these retaliatory measures.
In recent meetings, China's top diplomat in Bangkok addressed North Korea and Iran with President Biden's national security adviser, while officials in Beijing resumed long-stalled talks on controlling the flow of fentanyl to the United States.
These entities have supplied materials and sensitive technology for Iran's ballistic missile and UAV programs, including Shahed-series UAVs being used by the Russian military against Ukraine.
Following the drone attack on a base in Jordan, the US forces are now preparing to hit Iran-backed proxies across the Middle East with increased intensity, as reported by Voice of America (VOA).
The US Central Command Forces on Thursday conducted strikes against an Iranian-backed Houthi UAV ground control station and 10 Houthi one-way UAVs as they were posing an imminent threat in the region, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
Iranian-backed Houthis on Wednesday fired an anti-ship ballistic missile towards the Gulf of Aden. The missile was successfully shot down by US Navy missile destroyer USS Carney, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, "We believe that the attack in Jordan was planned, resourced, and facilitated by an umbrella group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which contains multiple groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah."
Iran's Ambassador to India Iraj Elahi, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday discussed the development of cooperation between India, Iran.